By The Numbers: Bafana Bafana v Algeria

The FIFA break gave Hugo Broos a chance to rotate and test different players in two friendlies played in recent days. Bafana’s two matches saw different performances and results. On Friday, they drew 1-1 with Andorra in a dominant but ineffective performance, but against Algeria, they put on an impressive performance in a 3-3 thriller worthy of a Cup final. In By The Numbers this week, we look at the Algeria game last night from a statistical standpoint.

For the first time in over two years, Algeria conceded three goals in a game. January 2022 was the last time this had happened, as Algeria were knocked out of the 2022 AFCON tournament by Ivory Coast. You have to go back almost six years (June 2018) for the last time Algeria conceded three goals in a home game. Even that statistic alone should be enough to show how impressive we were.

Hugo Broos fielded a stronger Starting XI against Algeria, perhaps in recognition of the status of the opposition. Despite the coincidence in stadium names, the game had all the hallmarks of an away game – a very late kickoff with a massive and noisy crowd. In the end, the result was the same as Andorra (another draw), but it was a different, better performance. Algeria were favored to win this from the onset, despite the teams being close on the world rankings. With stars that play for Roma, Lille, Wolves, and Villareal, that may have swung the odds their way.

43 – Algeria’s world ranking (7th in Africa)
58 – Bafana’s world ranking (10th in Africa)
2 – Only Mali & Cameroon separate the sides in CAF rankings.

Like the Andorra game a few days earlier, Bafana had more of the ball here, although the areas of the pitch where they enjoyed possession were different in each half. Like the Andorra game, Bafana conceded the early first goal (22 minutes here compared to six minutes last week). But they quickly turned it around once again, this time managing to lead at the break. It was an entertaining first half that Bafana just edged, although both teams weren’t giving away too much.

7 – shots for Bafana in the first half (3 on target)
5 – shots for Algeria in the first half (two on target)

6 – touches in the opposition box allowed to Bafana
6 – touches in the opposition box allowed to Algeria

The second half was much more open in terms of the progression of the ball upfield, especially for Algeria, but the shot count remained steady. As Bafana sought to protect first a 2-1 lead, and then a 3-2 lead, Algeria started to have more of the ball in dangerous areas. They still had fewer passes than Bafana overall, but the difference was that Bafana were sitting deeper and inviting Algeria to experiment closer to their goal. It meant that the hosts enjoyed twice as many passes in Bafana’s half after the break.

12 – box touches by both teams in the first half (6-6)
28 – box touches by both teams in the second half (18 of these for Algeria)

53 – passes enjoyed by Algeria in Bafana’s half in the first 45” (1 per minute)
105 – passes enjoyed by Algeria in Bafana’s half in the second 45” (2 per minute)

Yassine Benzia and Themba Zwane were the standout players in this game, each scoring a brace on the day. Their first goals were smart, but regulation finishes. But both players’ second goals were technically superb. Benzia’s effort may yet be considered for a Puskas award. Both teams had chances to win it in the final minutes, but the two goalkeepers Moustaoha Zeghba & Ronwen Williams pulled off fine saves on either end to deny late winners. Local football will be the focus now before the World Cup qualifiers in June take center stage once again.